Tasmanian two-year-old Anniversary Belle, who was desperately unlucky on debut, will be on trial at Caulfield for a Brisbane winter campaign.
The Danehill Dancer filly is only tiny but has impressed trainer Gary White with her natural ability and he is keen to give her another chance in Saturday’s Routley’s Handicap (1200m).
White said Brisbane remained an option for Anniversary Belle with the Listed Lancaster Stakes (1200m) for two-year-old fillies at Eagle farm on June 9 on the agenda.
“We have got to get through this race first on Saturday but if she keeps progressing we will look at Brisbane with her,” White said.
“She’s only a little horse and she will let us know where she is at.”
Anniversary Belle was the subject of an extensive stewards’ report after her debut when an eye-catching three-quarter length second to Kolonga in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1000m) at Caulfield.
Ridden by Darren Gauci she was slow to begin and got badly held up for a run from the home turn to the 200 meters where she was knocked off balance after two heavy bumps.
“To run as well as she did after what she did wrong was great and we couldn’t have been any more impressed with her,” said White, who is training the filly out of Doug Harrison’s Havelock Park complex near Cranbourne.
“She has done well since and looks a treat.
“Darren Gauci rode her work on Tuesday morning and was really pleased with her and obviously now with a bit more experience she is going to be a bit more competitive.”
As a result of her encouraging debut effort Anniversary Belle was the $4.40 TAB Sportsbet favourite on Friday ahead of the Peter Moody-trained Ride A Rock Horse who was an impressive 2-1/4 length debut winner at Seymour two weeks ago.
Kolonga was $6 and Affable, who finished third behind Kolonga and Anniversary Belle, was $6.50.
